These are from the BBC (see
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2009/03/ten_publishing_principles_for.html),
but I thought they'd be worth reposting here, as quite a few of them have
become well-known paradigms within the web sector generally:

1. *Web sites and products should be designed to meet a clearly-defined
audience need*

Anticipate needs not yet fully articulated by audiences and meet them with
products that set new standards and even exceed expectations.

2. *The best websites do one thing really, really well*

Do less, keep it simple, execute perfectly.

3. *Ensure there is nothing similar already published on BBC Online*

We are all contributors to one website. How are you adding to what exists
already? Can you reuse what has been built and is your content, in turn,
reusable? Don't create a web cul-de-sac - we have so many of those already!

4. *Any website is only as good as its worst page*

Ensure best practice editorial processes, technology and UX standards are
adopted and adhered to. Your content may be linked to, forever, so plan for
the full lifecycle. Consider how will it look in three year's time, how it
can be curated. Will it degrade gracefully - or should you set a date for it
to be mothballed or archived?

5. *Accessibility is not an optional extra*

Sites designed that way from the ground up work better for all users. Your
site should, where appropriate, easily translate into other languages.

6. *Maximise routes to content*

How will people know your site exists? Keep the URL as simple and memorable
as possible (and remember that all URLs should be lower case). Optimise your
site to rank high in Google and other search engines. Develop permanent URLs
and contextualise with as many aggregations of content about people, places,
topics, channels, networks and time as possible.

7. *Free up your content for consumers to take away*

Don't reinvent Facebook or Bebo - just make it easy for users to take
nuggets of content with them, with links back to your site or the wider BBC
from wherever they are. Wherever and whenever users find your content make
sure the feedback loops work.

8. *Do not attempt to do everything yourselves - "do what you do best and
then link to the
rest<http://www.buzzmachine.com/2007/02/22/new-rule-cover-what-you-do-best-link-to-the-rest/>
"*

Link to other high-quality sites - your users will thank you. Use other
people's content & tools to enhance your site and vice versa.Don't feel you
have to host the conversations about your content, just link to them or join
in as appropriate.

9. *Consistent design & navigation needn't mean one-size-fits-all *

Users should always know they're on a BBC website, even if it doesn't look
exactly like another. Clear signposting is vital to ensure users won't get
lost within or beyond your site.

10. *Personalisation should be unobtrusive, elegant and transparent*
After all, it's our users' most personal data - respect it. And adhere to
our forthcoming cookie policy!


Frankie


-- 
Frankie Roberto
Experience Designer, Rattle
0114 2706977
http://www.rattlecentral.com

Sent from: Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.

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